The political fight between Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a new turn, with Gikaria now seeking police intervention over remarks he says have seriously damaged his reputation.
Gikaria went to Nakuru Central Police Station on Saturday, August 15, where he recorded a statement against Gachagua. The MP accused the former deputy president of making statements that linked him to deaths and violence during the controversial Ol Kalou by-election.
According to Gikaria, the remarks painted him as someone responsible for the deaths recorded during the election period.
He said he had reported the matter as a cybercrime and maintained that the accusations had affected both his reputation and his businesses.
Gachagua given 72 hours
The Nakuru MP has also moved on the civil side of the dispute.
Through his lawyers, Gikaria has formally demanded that Gachagua withdraw the remarks and apologise within 72 hours.
He has warned that failure to do so will trigger a defamation lawsuit, with his legal team expected to begin the next stage of the process on Monday.
Gikaria said his lawyers had advised him to issue the demand before pursuing the civil case.
How the dispute started
The latest confrontation goes back to the Ol Kalou by-election, which was marred by controversy and reports of violence.
Gachagua subsequently accused Gikaria of having a role in the unrest and also made allegations involving bribery.
Gikaria has rejected those accusations and is now asking the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to take over the matter. He argues that the allegations go beyond ordinary political criticism and amount to accusations of criminal conduct.
The MP says the statements have caused damage to his name and business interests.
Fresh political tensions in Nakuru
The dispute comes at a time when Gachagua’s relationship with leaders in Nakuru has become increasingly strained.
The former deputy president’s latest visit to the county was overshadowed by an attack on his convoy on Friday.
On Saturday, Gachagua accused Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Naivasha MP Samuel Arama of being behind the incident. The report did not indicate that either leader had accepted those allegations.
Despite the confrontation, Gachagua said he would continue visiting Nakuru and would not be intimidated from touring the county.
Gikaria, however, said Gachagua should respect the Constitution and the rule of law.
He maintained that Nakuru politicians had no objection to Gachagua visiting the county, but argued that political visits should not become platforms for attacking or accusing local leaders.
From political exchange to possible courtroom battle
The 72-hour ultimatum now puts the dispute on a different footing.
If Gachagua does not retract the remarks and apologise within the stated period, Gikaria says he will proceed with the defamation case.
What began as a political confrontation surrounding the Ol Kalou election could therefore soon move into the courts, adding another legal dimension to the increasingly heated political contest in Nakuru.
For now, the focus is on whether Gachagua will respond to the demand—or whether Gikaria’s lawyers will make good on their threat to take the matter to court.
